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Last updated on Wednesday, September 5, 2018
(MEDORA) - Medora Community School students didn’t need to worry about picking out a backpack this year because one was provided to them.
Jackson County United Way purchased mesh backpacks for all students. The backpacks, which are see-through, were required as an added safety measure.
Principal Austin Skutnik told the Seymour Tribune that the change has been well-received and was a simple step to take to keep students and staff safe.
The school had some mesh backpacks left over that can be given to new students or if one of the backpacks breaks.
The school also constructed a taller fence around the school's playground as a security measure.
The playground is open to the public from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily and is under 24-hour video surveillance.
Staff members also now have access to the SchoolGuard App on their cellphones. The app has a panic button that can be pushed to notify on- and off-duty federal, state and local law enforcement officers within close proximity to the school in the event of an active shooting or an intruder.
Other staff members are also immediately alerted and receive a map of the location of the initial alert, allowing them to react accordingly. Even neighboring schools are instantly alerted of an active shooter emergency.
The app also helps in a medical emergency or when a staff member needs assistance in a classroom or elsewhere in the school building.
The cost of the app is a $1,000 setup fee and $1,188 per year.
The costs of the new playground fence and app were funded by the Owen-Carr Township Community Fund, which is administered by the Community Foundation of Jackson County.
It is funded with donations from Rumpke, which operates the Medora Landfill. Donations to the fund are based on the tonnage of trash processed at the landfill. The fund is used to help finance projects or groups in the two townships. Funds have been given to local projects and activities that promote the environment and community.
Information Seymour Tribune, http://www.tribtown.com/
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